Polymerization of dextrose



Patenied May d, i945 estates Gerald il. lLeuclr, Evanston, ldl., assigner to Sorti Products Refining Company,'New York, N. if., a corporation of Newiersey Application February 9, i942, Serial No. 430,162

27 @iaimsn This invention relates, primarily, to the polymerization of dextrose; and the principal object of the invention is to provide an encient and relatively inexpensive process for the production of a polymerized dextrose product'which-will contain a large quantity of dextrose polymers, in proportion to the amount of dextrose treated, and in which the dextrose polymers will contain a large average number of dextrose units; that is to say, a product in whchthe amount and also the degree of polymerization are high.

The term fdextrose units as used herein means, actually, units of carbohydrate material having the generic formula CsHioOs and having the special conguration of d-glucose, including dextrose anhydrides, such as glucosans. It will be realized, however, that there are many other CsHiuOs compounds of varying configuration, all of which fall Within the generic dextrose anhydride group. That is, the polymerization-,of dextrose involves the elimination of one molecule of water from the anhydrous dextrose treated, as well as the building up of the dextrose anhydride units into polymers of yvarying degrees of polynmerization. It should be observed, however, that during the'polymerizing operation the dextrose anhydride unit may undergo various transformations into CsHioOs4 configurations; and the term dextrose polymers as used herein, is intended to cover all such configurations. It should also b'e remarked that the polymers produced in accordance with this invention need not consist of single CsHioOs molecules. They may consist of two or more such molecules combined as glycosides. By dextrose polymers is intended the product, Whatever its chemical nature, which results from `the polymerizing operation, including `essential changes and other chemical reactions that may take place incidentally to the polymerizing operation including the alteration of the dextrose anhydride configuration. l

Another and very important object of the invention is to provide a polymerization process in which the formation of color will be reduced to a minimum.

The dextrose ,used for the production of the .polymerized product may be alpha anhydrous dextrose in a. crystal state.

Commercial alpha anhydrous dextrose, Whichis a high purity product, is suitable for the purpose. 'The dextrose should be in the form, preferably, of fairly large sized crystals, such as those of the usual commercial product averaging from 20.to 100 mesh per linear inch. It should not be pulverized.

It is also possible to use beta anhydrous dextrose; but the process is not eliicient unless the beta anhydrous dextrose is in a relatively pure state. Most of the beta anhydrous dextrose `of commerce containsa large proportionof alpha anhydrous dextrose, and this mixture is not suitable for polymerization according to the present tory with respect to amount and degree of polymerzation and color. i

The process does not appear to be applicable, according to present experience, to sucrose or xylose; but can be used effectively for the polymerization of maltose, a disaccharide composed of two dextrose units. It is believed, for reasons to be stated, that the process can, in fact, be used for the polymerization of any reducing or dextrose polysaccharide, that is any sugar which is composed of dextrose units. i

A strikingly characteristic featureA of applicants process is that the sugar (which will be 'referred to hereinafter as dextrose with the understanding that the process is also applicable to maltose `and other dextrose polysaccharides) is polymerized without destroying or impairing the individuality of the dextrose crystals as to form. The crystals are not reduced to a molten state, although they may possibly undergo a slight, incipient melting or softening supercially. By referring to the sugar as not being reduced, in or prior to the polymerizing operation, to a molten state, it is not intended to negative the possibility of the crystals being superficially melted as just stated. The terni molten state" as used herein implies melting to the extent that crystal structure is substantially obliteated. The product, therefore-the polymerized dextrose-may be appropriately referred to as a product of crystal-line character, although the transformed dextrose crystals may not be crystals, in the strict crystallographic sense, and undoubtedly are not crystals of the product or products resulting from the polymerizing action. No claim is made, herein to the merizing dextrose,` or other sugars, by melting the sugar and treating itwith catalysts while in a molten state.- A process of such character is claimed in applicants copending application, Serial No. 437,273, filed April '1, 1942.

` Another characteristic feature of the present invention is the use. as catalysts, or as primary catalysts, of boron compounds, for example, boric anhydride, and tetra, meta and o rtho boric acids. Theoretically, because the process is intended to be carried on so far as possible under anhydrous conditions, boric anhydride is to be preferred rather-than the other above mentioned boron compounds. But for practical and economic reasons, meta boric acid, containing only one molecule of water per molecule of borc anhydride,

process of polyshould be used, since, on the one hand, boric anhydride and tetra boric acid are diiilcult to obtain in suitable physical form and, on the other hand, ortho boric acid contains too large a quantity of molecular water to make it desirable to' use.

While a boron compound (which lhereafter for convenience will be referred to as boric acid) appears to be essential, as a catalyst (at least for the polymerization of dextrose)-so that, because `the process involves using'this substance in relatively large quantities, it may be regarded as the primary catalyst in the dextrose p01ymeriza' tion reaction-by far the best results are b- Atained when a small amount (which in some cases may be a mere trace) of a secondary or cocatalyst is employed with boric acid. The secondary catalyst may be an acid, an acid salt orV a neutral salt.` Alkaline salts are excluded because of their destructive'eifect on the dextrose. The secondary catalyst may be present as an impurity in either the dextrose or in the primary catalyst; or it may be present in the atmosphere, particularly acidic material such as sulphur dioxide or hydrogen chloride; and in the specific f able for use as a co-catalyst with the boric acid,

will reduce the polymerizing temperature. v

The polymerization isbrought about ordinarily by heating theA dextrose at a temperature below the melting point of the dextrose, viz. 146 C.

A(295 F.). However, with large quantities of boric acid in a nely divided state,v it is possible `producthaving a low polymer content and a relatively low degree of polymerization may be useful for certain purposes. In all cases coloration is to be avoided as far as possible.

'Ihe product may be used advantageously as a humectant, for example, as a substitute for glycerin in the treatment of tobacco. The invention is in no way limited to this particular use. The dextrose polymers of this invention are characterized by low reducing values in comparison with other reducing polysaccharides such as the disaccharide maltose or the trisaccharide ramnose. For example low degree polymers of this invention which average two or three dextrose units appear to have reducing values considerably less than maltose and raiinose respectively. The products of this invention are heterogeneous mixtures of polymers having a wide varia-r tion in degree of polymerization.

While the dextrose polymer-boric acid Pnixture resulting from the polymerization process may have utility for certain purposeait has been real? ized that, generally speaking, it will be necessary to remove the catalyst from the dextrose polymer product; and one of the objects of the invention has been to provide a process for effecting such removal of the catalyst-the boric acidand the recovery of the same for re-use, as well as the recovery for re-.use of the agent (methanol) used for'eiecting the separation of the boric acid from the dextrose polymer product.

The removal and recoveryprocess is illustrated u -in the accompanying flow sheet drawing.

The processes outlined above are exempliied in the following speciiic examples of the reduction to practice of the invention. It will be understood, however, that these examples are purely illustrative and typical. 'I'he invention is not to be regarded as rlimited to the particular operating data given therein.

Before description of the specific examples, it

will be necessary to describe the analytical methto operate somewhat above the melting point of the dextrose for reasons to be stated.

It has also been found that the amount and degree of .polymerization can be increased, without bringing about :melting of the material, if,

after' the dextrose has been subjected in the presence of the catalyst, to atemperature be'4 low or near its melting point, but at or above a temperature which will bring about incipient polymerization, it is then subjected for a time to a temperature very considerably above its melting point. 4In fact, this effect may be ob.

tained even if the first heat treatment, because of the low temperature employed,` brings about little or no polymerization according to the ana lytical methods used for determining aniount 4, and degree of` polymerization.

All of these procedures aim at obtaining polymerized-products which will be as nearly white `as possible, that is, which, as to ncolor, will rey sugar will be polymerized to thehighest degree possible, that is, will contain, on the average,

as large a number of dextrose. units as possible. However, it isf realized that for certain purposes all of these characteristics may not be essential, For example, polymerizeddextrose insolubility depends (1) 0d used for determining the amounts and degrees of polymerization referred to, for purposes of comparison, in the specific examples. It will be understood that the polymerized product is subjected to analysis, `in al1 cases, after the bono acid has been removed from the product.

1V[ETHOD OF DETERMINING AMONT AND DEGREE OF POLYMERIZATION 'A 13.3% solution is made by adding distilled vwater to the dextrose polymer. 15 cc. of this water polymer solution, in which the dry substance is equivalent to 2 grams of the original dextrose, is used for making the tests. To this 15 cc. polymer solution there is added, in three stages, anhydrous isopropyl alcohol, and the precipitates are removed after each addition of' the alcohol.

. At the rst stage 20 cc. of alcohol is added to the 15 cc. polymer water solution. At the second stage 15 cc..oi alcohol is added so that the alcohol content of the somtion at this stage is 35 cc. At the third stage 50 cc. of alcohol is added so that the alcohol content of the solution is v cc. The precipitated substances, at all stages, are dextrosepolymers but of different degrees,

on the average', of polymerization. 'Ihe isopropyl alcohol test is based on the fact that pure dextrose itself is' completely soluble in aqueous iso'- propyl alcohol as, well as in water, whereas dex-v trose polymers, which are solublein water, are insoluble in aqueous isopropyl alcoholv andv this I. y tentpi Y the solution,-the more .concentrated `the solution the greater the insolubility `of theidextrose polymer; and|(2') upon the degree of poly- ,trose polymer, thegreater the insolubilityof the polymer ina water-isopropyl alcohol solution of a given alcoholconcentration. If no precipitate is obtained in the 85 cc. aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution the assumption is that no polymerization has taken place and the dextrose is still all there in its original form; or possibly, that the material consists mostly of dextrose but with a small amount of dextrose polymer; or,- it may be, that the material consists entirely Yof polymer products but of a low degree of polymerization. In any case, there is no substantial formation of polymers in the sense of the present invention which aims at substantial amounts and degrees of polymerization. y l t If the polymerization has taken place to the extent that precipitates occur in all three alcoholic portions, then the greater theper centof dextrose polymer precipitated in the Vcc. isopropyl alcohol portion,-the greater the degree of polymerization of the precipitated dextrose polymer.

When the 15 cc. polymer solution is treatedwith isopropyl alcohol, the polymer is precipitated in the form of an emulsion or very fine dispersion which ordinarily cannot be ltered but is best centrfuged. Each centrifuging operation gives a light upper layer of isopropyl alcohol containof the specimen treated represents the percent' precipitated at this particular stage.

The degree of polymerization, lat teach stage, is made by a recognized molecular weight determination such as by determining the extent to which the freezing point of a 10% or 20% aqueous solution of these polymers is lowered. By ascertaining the molecular weight of the polymer one can compute the number of dextrose units in the polymer since it is known that a dextrose polymer consists of dextrose unitswherein 'two or more dextrose molecules have condensed with each other with an accompanying loss Yin each case of one molecule of water. Since the molecular weight of dextrose is 180 and the molecular weight of water is .18, the dextrose unit in the dextrose polymer has a molecular weight of 162. From this it follows that 'by first subtracting 180 from the total molecular weight of a polymer and then dividing the difference by 162, the-number of dextrose units will equal 1 plus the quotient.

EXAMPLE No. 1.-Boric acid as a polymerization catalyst Alpha anhydrous dextrose in a crystalline state is dried at 80 C. (176 F.) for twelve hours in order to remove any water, free or molecular,

that the material may contain. This example assumes the use of commercial crystalline alpha anhydrous dextrose, which will ordinarily contain a small fraction, (about 0.25%) of water present probably through surface adsorption. The removal of this water, if not essential, is preferable. There is added to and blended with the dextrose 5%, by weight, of finely powdered trose borate complex.

meta boric acid; The meta boric acid is also, preferably, pre-dried and should bel powdered ne enough to pass through a 170 mesh'fscreen (170 meshes to the linear inch) or, which is preferable, so as `to passthrough a 200 mesh screen. In fact,.the nner the boric acid is powdered, the better are the results obtained. This." blended mixture is then spread out in a thin layer and heated to a temperature of 'C. (275 F.) at which temperature it is maintained for' 5 hours.

`The product is a granular material of crystallike character, as that term is dened above, in which the individuality of the original dextrose crystalsasto their form has lnot been lost. That is, the process of polymerizationhas transformed the dextrose crystals, separately and individually, into granular particles, containing or consisting of dextrose polymers, without substantially aiecting the contour and shape of original dextrose crystals. The product in color is only slightly darker than the Original dextrose crystals.

In this example, other conditions being as stated, a possible range of temperatures will be between about-133 C. (271 F.) and 145 C. (293 F.) and the lower the temperature within this range, the greater the amount and degree of polymerization.

The isopropyl'alcohol analysis of the'product in accordance with the method specified above is as follows:

rabze 1 Percent dextrose polymer precipitated on total dry substance in sample Degree of polymerization indicated by number of dextrose units aman" of high soluble dextrines range between about 10,000 and 20,000, it ,can be said that the dextrose polymers formed in accordance with this invention begin to approach the degree of polymerization of modified starch products.

PLYMERIZATION THERIES Several theories may be advanced to explain why it is possible to polymerize dextrose crystals without reducing the dextrose to a molten state; that is, while maintaining the individuality and integrity as to form ofthe dextrose crystals.

O'ne theory is that the space lattice arrangement of vcrystalline dextrose is of such a nature as to give the boric acid an opportunity of reacting with some of the -hydroxyl (OH) groups of the dextrose molecules. mationof what may be considered as a dex- This dextrose-boric acid complex is an unstable compound which exists only temporarily and is followed by the liberation This results in the forof the boric acid with the resultant formation of a dextrose polymer through the condensation of two dextrose lmolecules accompaniedv by the loss of one molecule of water.

In the case of other sugar crystals which are apparently not polymerlzed in accordance with j the present `invention by boric acid, for example,

sucrose and xylose, the space lattice structure is such that the boric acid does not have the opportunity to react with hydroxyl groups, in a so as to effect the vaporizationv and discharge of vwater as it is formed.

BORIC ACID 'I'here is a wide range in respect to the quantity of boric acid used. Practically it is possible to v use from a trace to 35% or more by weight. 'I'he manner similar to. that taking place with dexv trose. From'the above theory it may be assumed, that any crystalline sugar which has a space lattice wherein hydroxyl groups are capable of reaction with boric acid in a manner similar to that of boric acid and crystalline dextrose should be capable of forming sugar polymers in the presence of boric acid catalysts without destroying the crystal-like form of the sugar. I'he theory is consistent with applicants .discovery that the curs. The dextrose polymer being infusible forms ,a protective coating which prevents the crystal from melting, except initially and superflcially, and thereby preserves the form of the original crystal.. The boric acid, on the other hand. continues to diffuse intothe crystal interior, be-

^ cause of the softened condition. The boric acid powder also serves as a surface-active agent which keeps the individual dextrose crystals from fusing together during the initial superficial melting. 'Ihe statement in the claims that crystals are not reduced to a molten state is not intended to exclude a superficial melting or softening of the crystals.

It is quite possible are correct.

Under the c'onditionsof Example No. 1 the range of polymerizing temperatures has to be narrow, if the process is to be eiilcient. The range is approximately between 133 C. (271 F.) and 145 C. (293 FJ. Below 133 C. the dextrose does not polymerize to any substantial extent. Above 145 C. the dextrose will melt before becoming polymerized. However, as will lbe shown vin exampleswhich follow, after partial polymerization, or even after heat treatment below the normal polymerizing temperature, the

material may be heated at temperatures very much above the melting point of dextrose, without melting the crystals, with an increase of the amount and degree of polymerization and without undesirable color formation.

'The heating (referring te the Exemple No. i and those to be described hereinafter) may be done in an ovenwith the material spread out in that both of these theories amount of .boric acid can be considered, however, only in connection with its degree of pulverization. The only boric acid which produces Apolymerization is that which is at the points of contact with crystal surfaces of the dextrose.

The smaller the particle size f the boric acid. the greater will be the amount oi' boric acid, in the total amount actually used, which will be in contact with the dextrose crystal surfaces and therefore eii'ective to produce polymerization. One might, for example, use 35% of boric acid of mesh pulverization and obtain less polymerization than with 1% of 200 mesh boric acid.

The boric.y acid may be ground mechanically andblended with the crystalline dextrose by means of a suitable mixing apparatus. 0r the dextrose crystals may be suspended in a liquid solvent of boric acid such as acetone, in which dextrose is insoluble, and the solution-suspension evaporated to coat the dextrose crystals with boric acid parl ticles.

As to the type of lboron compounds, boric anhydride (B203) contains, as the name implies, no molecular water. Tetra'boric acid (H2B4Or) contalus one-half molecule of water. Meta yboric acid (H302) contains one molecule of water. Ortho boric acid (HsBOs) contains three molecules of water. Theoretically, boric anhydride should be. the best catalyst; and this is the fact; but` this product 1s facture. It is preferable not to use ortho boric acid because of. its large content of molecular water. Practically meta boric acid which con'- tains only one molecule of water is the most convenient of the boron compounds. It can `be readily producedrfrom ortho boric acid (the usual commercial boric acid) by extracting some of the molecular water contained inithe latter. In place of the boron compounds above referred to one ley use any non-alkaline material containing The amount and iineness of the boric acid used has a bearing upon color formation as well as amount and degree of polymerization; The reason why a much light r color product is obtainable with boric acid, d in accordance with the present invention, in comparison with other cat'- lalysts used in the production of dextrose polymers from molten dextrose, is because with boric acid acting directly on the dextrose crystals. the

rate of polymer formation is solv rapid that the dextrose does not have time to melt and darken in color. The more thoroughly the ne boric acid particles coat the dextrose crystals, the more ,eii'icient will be the rate of polymerization and the less colorformation will result. To summarize: color formation is inhibited by (l) tineness of the boric acid powder, the nner the pow- .der the less color; '(2) by Ithe amount of boric trays or in a rotary drum heater or in any other way whereby there will be auniform distribuu tion of the heat.

dextrose polymer, e. gl, starch, is converted to dextrose) vthe heating apparatus should be operated. e. g., bycirculatlonof dried air,

acid, namely the more boric acid of a given ilneness, thel iesscolor; (3) by a temperature which is below the melting point of the dextrose, inthe presence of the catalyst, at least until the polymerization has been initiated: (4) by a relatively v short time treatment; and (5)l by the absence of 'water or at least its removal as 'soon as (formed.

n Experience hasdemonstratedl that if undried air is circulated through the heating apparatus dimcult to obtain or manu- 2,3%,564 y the polymerizing operation is likely to be detri- I mentally'aiected, Generallyspeaking the lower the atmospheric humidity the better the result. `Where there'is a substantial amount of moisture in the atmosphere the product is likely to be discolored and contain a substantial, if minor, portion of non-granular, lumpy, fused, poorly polymerized substances which are diiiicult to separate, adequately, from the rest of the product either by sftingor by extraction with solvents.`

REMOVAL OF CATALYST FROM THE DEX- TROSE POLYMER AND RECOVERY OF BORIC ACID AND METHANOL Referring to the annexed flow sheet, I designates the heating apparatus or polymerizer into which dried crystalline anhydrous dextrose is introduced at 2 and powdered meta boric acid, also preferably pre-dried, is introduced at 3. Dried air is introduced into the polymerizer at 4 and air and water vapor discharged therefrom at 5. The dextrose and boric acid may be blended either in the polymerizer or before being delivered thereto. The polymer-boric acid mixture is introduced from the polymerizer into vessel 6, as indicated at 1, and an excessof anhydrous methanol introduced into vessel 6 at 8.

Preferably, 25 parts of polymer .material issuspended in 12.5 parts of methanol with mixing produced by the agitator 9 to prevent lump formation which might be caused by the tendency oi the polymer particles to adhere to each other.

vThe mixture is then sent through conduit I to a vacuum still ll. Distillation of methanol,.and of the methyl borate resulting from the reaction between the methanol and boric acid, is carried on at a temperature between 10,and 15 C. f 50 and 59 F.). the distillates going through conduit I2 to tank I3. 'I'his continues until 50 parts of the methanol has been distilled 01T, whereupon 50 Iparts of fresh methanol is introduced into the vacuum still II through conduit 8.-I4. The vacuum distillation is lthen continued at the same temperature until 50 parts more of the liquid have been' distilled off and delivered through conduit I-I2 to the tank I3. The material in the vacuum still II is then-delivered at IB to a settling tank I l, from which the major portion of the liquor is decanted through'conduit I8-I2 into the vessel I3, leaving about l5 Aparts of the liquid mixed with the `polymer material. This material is discharged at I9 into a second vacuum still 20 in which'the fifteen parts of liquid mixed with the polymer material is distilled off and delivered to vessel I3 through conduit 2I-I2.. The puried polymer material is r1iszl'ierged from. the vacuum pan at 22.

This polymer material may contain 0.25 per cent or less of ortho boric acid: and its appear-` ance is practically identical with the appearance of tre original polymer when viewed v through the microscope. i

'Phe lboiling point ofl methyl borate is 65 C. 'lll-.CI^` W). the boling point of methyl alcohol is "'i 8 C (152 F.). In view of the closeness of *be boiling points of these two liquids it is not rectical to separate them by Vfractional distillafion. Consequently, the distillates and decanted 1iquids are introduced together into the vessel as above described, into which is introduced at 2Q au alkaline substance in quantity sufficient toireutralize the boric acid. An'y suitable neutraliuing agent may be used. such as caustic soda, caustic potash orlime. The vcaustic soda or caustic' potash, for example, neutralizes the boric acid to the correspondingsalt, namely sodium borate or potassium borate, both of which `are powdered residue ,of alkali borate. 4The latter is discharged at 2l into a vessell 28 into which is introduced at 29 a mineral acid and water. -.Suit able mineral acids are hydrochloric acid and sulfuricacid. The resulting solution consists of boric acid andthe corresponding salt, namely, sodium or potassium chloride or sodiumor potassium sulfate. This solution is introduced at 30 into a concentrating device 3! and the concentrated liquid goes by pipe 32 into a crystallizer 33 where the boric acid crystallizes as 'ortho boric acid. The remaining salt solution is discharged vfrom the process at 34. The ortho boric acid is introduced at 35 into a heater 36 into which hot air is introduced at 31 and from which twomolecules of molecular water are drawn o'ff at 38, converting the material into meta boric acid, which `is conveyed, as indicated at 30, to the meta boric acidsupply 3 going to the polymerizer I.

One of the principal problems involved in any system for removing the catalyst and recovering catalyst and removing'agent is to prevent the coalescence and adherence one to another ofthe polymer' particles. This result can be obtained: (1) .By excluding water fromthe process as much as possible. (2) By removing the methanol from the polymer as quickly as possible. (3) By using a, distillation temperature Well below room temperature, for exam-ple, 10 to 15 C. (50 to 59 E). The minimum temperature is the lowest at which the methyl borate andmethyl alcohol will distill off. Between this lower limit and the maximum of 15 C. the lower the temperature the better the results in respect to nonadherence 'of the polymer particles. (4) By using a large excess of methanol to prevent-as much as possible` contact between'the polymer particles. (5) By the expedient of distilling the methanol and methyl bora-te and replacing the I 'methanol thus removed with fresh methanol.

(6) By using a large excess of methanol for the purpose of taking up the molecular water released when vboric acid reacts with methonal to form methyl borate.

A unique feature of the use of boric acid as a catalyst is that dextrose can be polymerized by heating to temperatures below the .melting point of dextrose 146 C, (295 E). Another striking characteristic of this reaction is that if polymerization is started below the melting point of dextrose, the temperature may be raised to a point considerably .above the melting point of dextrose and an increased yield of polymers obtained without melting of the material or correspondingly increased coloration. Between 133 and 145 C. (271 and 293 F.) the polymerization reaction is active. Experiments indicate that if the temperature is then raised slightly above the melting point of dextrose, no melting takes place but,'at these low temperatures, there is no substantial increase in the amount or degree of polymerization. Itis necessary to raise the temperature 25n to 30 C., that is, to a temperature of about isopropyl alcohol added to 15 cc.

175 C. (347 F.) before the polymerization is substantially increased.

The failure of the polymer particles to melt at this high temperature is probably due to the fact `that the polymerizing action is initially a surface reaction and the capacity of the dextrose crystals to melt disappears as soon as all o! the crystal surfaces have been surrounded with thin shells or iilms of infusible dextrose polymer.

According to the present example alpha anhydrous dextrose lis blended with of meta boric acid after both substances have been preliminarily dried, the meta boric acid being puli erized to 200 mesh, and the mixture heated first for 5 hours at 135 C. (275 F.) and then for 1 hour at 175 C. (347 F.)

The isopropyl alcohol test gives iigures as inl dicated in the following table:

Table 2 Degree of polymeriza tion indicated by number of dextrose units Percent dextrose lymer precipitated on total dry substance in sample Isopropyl alcohol added to l5 cc. polymer solution to give alcohol contents oi- Comparing these results with those obtained as stated above, the latter iigures represent av erages of wide ranges of molecular weights.

It is important to notedthat in spite of the comparatively high temperature treatment, the resulting product is very light in color, being only slightly darker than the original dextrose.

EXAMPLE No. 3.-T1vostage boric acid polymerization second stage for longer period The operating data of this example may be the same as the operating data of Example No. 2 except that the polymerization at the second stage, that is, at 175 C. (347 F.) is continued for 5 hours.

The results given by the isopropyl alcohol test are asfollows:

Table 3 polymerizapolymer solution to give alcohol contents olv Amount of polymerizationand degree of polymerization are both increased, over Example No.

Degree oi I Table 4 Percent dex trose polymer Isopropyl alcohol added to 15 cc. polymer solution to precipitated give alcohol contents of on total dry substance in sample Z) M- 50 35 rw 26 85 oc 9 Total 85 It may be noted that if the same experiment essary to use in the first operation, a temperature to initiate polymerization, within the range of 133 to 145 C. (271 and 293 FJ. Where the dextrose-meta boric acid mixture is first treated for 5 hours at 125 C. (257 F.) and then for an hour at a lower temperature, e. g., C. (347 F.), the dextrose is' melted, and gives a dark. black resinous product and if the dextrose be heated initially to 175 C., the same result, naturally, will follow.

However, there is a relationship between temperature, in the rst or polymerizing operation, and theamount and flneness of the catalyst. If a large amount of veryi'lnely powdered meta boric acid be used, instead of the 5% contemplated by EXampleNO. 3, 'it will be possible to l carry on the first operation at a temperature somewhat above the melting point of the dextrose and still obtain polymerization without appreciable melting. vIt will be understood that in all of the specific examples, herein, the eiort has been to express'conditions which will give the best re-` sults in respect to amount of polymerization, degree of polymerization and the minimization of color production. Operations outside of the limits given may be possible with the sacrifice of some or all of these desirable"characteristics in .the product.-

EXAMPL No. 4.-] m`t'ial temperature above the melting point of dextrose Example No. 4 illustrates the principle that increase of the amount and/or neness of pulverization of the catalyst may permit heating,

initially, above the normalanelting point of the dextrose. Alpha anhydrous dextrose, prelimi narly dried, is mixed with 35%, by Weight, of

drous dextrose crystal form despite the high poly-v merizing temperature. The amount and degree of polymerizationthe latter approximately-are v shoyvn by the `following table which is based upon the previously described isopropyl alcohol test:

be repeated but with the use of only 1% 'of meta boric acid, pulverized to the same iine'nessthe product will be fused, dark colored and low in the amount and degree of polymerization.

EXAMPLE No. 5,-Borc acid ad a mineral acid as co-catalyst Alpha anhydrous dextrose crystals preliminarily dried are treated to incorporate 0.005%

. a polymer product, the isopropyl alcohol analysis of which is as follows:

Table Percent dex- Dlegreeioi' Isopropyl alcohol added to cc. tmsep? met 90 yimuflfn polymer solution to give alcohol Preclpltlated in mmm-t1. contents of* f i on tota dr'y ed ynumbci substance m of dextrose sample units cc l 47 9.2 35 ce 24 1,8 85 CC l0 5. 8

Total 81 the 'degree of .polymerization is increased very' dextrose according to this Example 6 is treated with 0.005% hydrochloric acid and blended with 5% of meta boric acid pulverized to 170-200 .me-sh, as in the preceding examples, and then subjected to heat treatment first at 120 C. and then at 140 C. The following table indicates results according to the isopropyl alcohol test:

2o ce. a5 cc. 85 ce.

l Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent 5 hours at 120 CL.. Trace 13 6 15 hours longer at 20 Trace l5 6 2l Comparing these gures with those of Exam- Vples Nos. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the` same general type of polymer is obtained with respect l, to amount and degree of polymerization; but the considerably as indicated particularly by the fact that with the boric acid4 alone the amount precipitatedwith 2.0 cc. of isopropyl alcohol is while with the boric acid hydrochloric-acid catalyst combination .it is 47%. In the process of this example, the amount of `mineral acid is very .small so that. it will not' bring about any considerable lowering of the melting point' of the dextrose'. The mineral acid, may. therefore, be appropriately designated a secondary or cometa# lyst. The mineral acid by itself will not function to produce polymerization by surface reaction.

For this the boric acid powder is necessary.

For the conditions ofthis example 140 C. (284" li.) is about the maximum .temperature usable due to the fact that even this small amount of hydrochloric acid will lower to some extent the melting point of the dextrose so as to make it possible for the material to go over into th e. molten phase. However, as will be seen from the following example, the mineral acid lowersnot only the melting point oi' the dextrose, but also itsminimum polymerizing temperature, lso that the heat treatment of the dextrose may be carried on at a lower temperature and still bring-about polymerization.

EXAMPLE No. 6.-Boric acid-mineral acid catalyst` 4mixtures in which the acid lowersy polymerz'zing temperature In Example No. 1 in which the catalyst was mum from 133 to120 C. (271 to 248 FL). This lowering ofthe minimum polymerizing temperature isfan advantage where a dextrose polymer of 'very light color is desired. Another advantage of. lowering the minimum polymerization.

temperature is that the supplementary polymerization treatment (contemplated by Exam oles Nos 2 and 3) may also be carried on at lower temperatures, for example.. at 140 C. (284 F.) in-J stead of 175 c. 347 F.) without sacrmcenf amount or degree of polymerization and with en-V hanced color advantages. The alpha anhydrous fact is that by carrying on the polymerizing operations at lower temperatures the formation of color is reduced. A still further polymerzaticn Vcan be obtained by subjecting one of the 120 C. f polymers, o'r the 140 C. polymer, to a treatment at 175 C. v 4

However, the product produced at 120 C. ap-

pears to have humectant properties diilerent from and better than the humectant properties of the higher polymers; so that the reduction of the polymerizing minimum4 temperature may have an advantage other than the color advantage above noted.

Any mineral acid or 'acid salt or neutral salt may be used in place of the speciedhydrochloric acid for lowering the polymerizing temperature. provided the substance has no decomposing effect on the dextrose or its polymers. Examples are phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide,

and nitric acid; the latter beng usable without de'trimentvto the dextrose because of the prevalence of anhydrous conditions.

EXAMPLE No.j 7.f-Meta-boric acid and 4neutral salts l as co-catalysts v jWith alpha anhydrous 'dextrose `crystals is blended 5%, by weight. of meta boric acid and 1% of nely powdered barium perchlorate` The blend is heated for 5 hours at 140 C (284 F.) and when analyzed by the isopropyl alcohol test shows results as `follows:

Table 7 Precipitation at isopropyl Examens No. '8f-Meta boricV acid and neutral salts- Prelz'mnary low temperature treatu Ament The process isthe same as in Example 7 exceptthat the sugar is g'ven preliminary heat treatmentat C.v (248 E). Temperatures, duration of heat treatments and the results of the isopropyl alcohol analysis are given in the following table:

The amount and degree of polymerization in this example are greater than the amount and degree of polymerization of Example No. 1, in which boric acid alone is used. lIn the present Example No. 8, little polymerization results, apparently, from the heating of the` sugar at 120 C., at least as measured by the described isopropyl alcohol analysis. Nevertheless, this preliminary heat treatment is significant. It probably involves some rearrangement of the molecular structure of the dextrose or produces an incipient reaction between the dextrose and the catalytic material which facilitates polymerization at the subsequent 140 C. treatment and minimizes color formation. In this and in the previous example, the presence of the neutral salt lowers to some extent the minimum polymerizing temperature of the dextrose.

In place of bariumY perchlorate as a secondary or cocatalyst one may use the perchlorate of potassium or of sodium or any other neutral water soluble salt which will not decompose dextrose, or its polymers at the polymerizing temperature. Generally speaking', a salt is considered to be a neutral salt if its water solution has a pH between and 7. If the pH is substantially above 7, the alkalinity of the salt will' tend to decompose the dextrose.

Byheatlng in the second operation to 175 C., the amount and degree of polymerization may be further increased.

EXAMPLE No. 9.M eta boric acid and sulfur dioxide-as the secondary catalysty h Sulfur dioxide can be considered a mineral acid although it is a weak acid in contrast to hydrochloric,` sulfuric, or nitric acid. Sulfur dioxide has been found to be a very desirable secondary or cci-catalyst when used With boric acid. In carrying out the process-of this example, alpha anhydrous dextrose, properly dried, has blended therewith 5% of meta boric acid; the dextrose, and preferably also the boric acid, being prellminarily treated-separately, with a weak flow of sulfur dioxide for or 12 hours at 80 C. (176 F.). The term weak flow means 4about 1A cc. of sulfur dioxide gas per second per 100 grams of dextrose and with an equivalent Table 9 Precipitation at isopropyl alcohol contents Tom OIT merlzation 20 cc. 35 cc. 85 cc.

Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent 44 26 1l 81 The sulfur dioxide may be incorporated with either the dextrose alone or the boric acid alone. The sulfur dioxide should, of course,` be in a dry state.

EFFECT oF 'nvrpnnrrms IN COMMERCIAL Dnx'raosn Experiments have indicated that for efficient l operation, productive of a large amount and a phere in which contained acidic substances, particularly sulphurdioxide; and under these conditions the primary catalytic action would be to some extent, at least, accelerated by these secondary catalysts. Alpha anhydrous dextrose even though very close to 100% pure contains, ordinarily, about 0.05% of sodium chloride: and experiments have shown that if commercial alpha anhydrous dextrose be purified byl repeated crystallizing operations so as to reduce its ash amount for the boric acid. In each case the l isopropyl alcohol test of the product of this example.

(sodium chloride) content to a gure'much morel which industrial and particularly chemical plants such as starch factories are located contains appreciable amounts of acidic gases, such as sulphur oxides, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrochloric acid, as well as other non-alkaline impurities; and if this air, without purification. is employed, as in Examples 1, 2 and 3, for removing moisture from the sugar being polymerized, or in any'case if the airis in contact with the sugar under treatment, a small but, in its effect, appreciable amount of secondary catalytic substance will be present during the reaction. If,` however, this air is purified, experience has shown that, using alpha anhydrous dextrose containing the usual quantity of sodium chloride, the amount and degree of polymerization (other factors being equal) will be appreciably reduced, as illustrated in Example 10 below. However,

even when the dextrose, the boric acid and also the air used to eliminate water are all carefully purified to remove sodium chloride, acidic substances and other catalytic impurities, some polymerization occurs which indicates thatboric acid can be used as a sole catalyst.

EXAMPLE No. 10.Meta boric acid and sodium chloride as (io-catalysts with purified air 5%, by weight, nf meta. boric acid 1s blended with commercial alpha anhydrous dextrose, conpropyl alcohol analysls'cs follows:

taining the normal small :amount ofq sodium chloride, and heated -for hours at 1409 C. (284- F.). To another batch of alpha anhydrous dextrose of the same character is added 5%. vby

weight, of meta boric acid and 1% of iinely powderedA sodiumV chloride and the material is heated also for 5 hours :it-140 C. In both of these cases the air used for the pre-drying and polymerization has had substantially all of its impurities eliminated. The results of these g'able -1 0 Precipitation at isopropyl alcohol contents of- Tom! p O/ e merization cc 35 ce. 85 cc;

` Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent With 1% sodium chloride added.. 15 38 17 70 With no added sodium chloride 2 17 25 44 l l y Comparing the results ofthe operating using,

EXAMPLE No. 11.-.Be'tafanhydrous dextrose with Y' meta'bonc acid as catalyst It does not appear to -be practical to attempt to polymerize the ordinary or -commercial beta. anhydrous dextrose, in accordance with the procedures given above, because of the tendency of.

the material to melt and resinify under the polymerizing conditions. This is due to the fact that most commercialbeta anhydrous dextrose contains from to y35%, of alpha anhydrous dextrose;v and apparently this lowers the melting point of the sugar to such an extent that in the polymerizing operation a portion of the sugar is reduced to`a molten state. However, it has been discovered by applicant that Joeta. anhydrous crystals,v if in a substantially pure state, that is, free from the alpha anhydrous, can be successfully polymerized, according to the present invention, Any suitable method may be employed for removing the alpha anhydrous dextrose from l0 operations, in accordance with Ethe isopropyl alcohol test, are given in the following table:

Iremoval of hydrate water vapor.

roble 1,1

Precipitation at isopropyl v alcohol contents oi- Total poly merizatlon 20 cc. y 35 cc. 85 cc.

Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent 5 3o 2s o3 EXAMPLE No. 12.--Beta anhydrous dez't'rose with boric acid as catalyst and supplemental heatina The process is the same as that disclosed'in -Exampleld ll, except that the sugar-catalyst mixture is heated for 20 hours at 120 C. andy then 5 hours at 140 C. The product will con- Ltain polymerized dextrose in quantities shown 4by the following table:

' Table 12 Precipitation at isopropyl alcohol contents of- Total po1y merization 2o ce. I a's ce. 85 ce.

Per cent Per cent Per Acem Per cent4 52 21 10 83 Both Examples 11 and 12 give polymerized products light in color. The particles are substantially in the form of the dextrose crystals treated. The dextrose'crystals donot lose their individuality as to form.y

'EXAMPLE No. 13.'`De:z:trose hydrate with boron Y anhydrideas catalyst Equal parts of crystalline dextrose hydrate and boric anhydride are heated at 1009 C. (212 F.) for three hours with frequent agitation and The material is then heated, at 135 C. .(275" F.) for 5 hours.

commercial beta. 0r, if available `one may use -h a beta dextrose having originally a suiciently high beta. content. 1n the purestate the beta,

will have a melting point of 150 C. (302 E).

The procedure l will then be as follows:

To the beta anhydrous dextrose crystals are added 5%, yby weight,l (a trace to 35%) of meta boric acid pulverized to a 170 mesh or ner, and

0.005% of fhydrochloric acid (0.0005 to 0.005). The constituents of `this mixture are blended,

v, as in the other examples and the blend heated for-5 hours at 140 C. (284"V F.) This procedure gives dextrose polymers in amounts, by the iso- 'I'he product is a dextrose polymer light in color and consisting of crystal-like particles closely 'resembling in form the hydrate dextrose crystals. The character of the product is indicated by the following table based on the isopropyl alcohol analysis, the iigures being, however, estimated.

Table 13 Precipitation at isopropyl alcohol contents oi- Total 20 cc. 35 cc. 85l cc. 4

.Per cent Per cent .Per cent Per cent 48 25 10 y 83 The eifec-t of the molecular water inthe dex trose hydrate, in this example, is counteracted, apparently, by the use of a large quantity of an anhydrous catalyst and |by the preliminary heat'- ing at low temperature which to some extent at least removes hydrate water.

EXAMPLE No. l4.-De:ctrose hydrate lgoric acid With dextrose hydrate is blended an equal part of meta boric acid and the blend heated at C. for 3 hours with frequent agitation and removal of vapors, and then heated for 5 hours at ,135C, 'I'he product is a dextrose 'polymer consisting of crystal-like" particles having the formof` the loriginal dextrose hydrate crystals.-

It is considerablydarker than the product of and meta y melting the sugar.

s Example 13 indicating the detrimental effect of less enioient water removal.

Commercial maltose is in the form of fine crystalline maltose hydrate; This sugar is rst heated for 24 hours at approximately 100 C. (212 F.) to drive oil the hydrate waterwithout The dehydrated maltose is then cooledto room temperature and there is blended therewith 5% (a trace to 35%) of meta boric acid pulverized -to 170l mesh or finer and, preferably, 0.005% hydrochloric acid (0.0005% to 0.005%). The blend isheated for 24 hours at 100 C. (212 F.) which is close to the melting point of maltoseunder normal conditions. The product ,is a white, powdered-maltose polymer, the amount and degree of'polymerization, according to the isopropyl alcohol method of analysis, being shown in the following table:

EXAMPLE 16.-Maltose with boric .acid and hydrochloric acid asi co.catalysts and with temperature above melting point of maltose Theoperating data are the same asin Example No. 15 with the exception that the sugar is finally heated to a temperature considerably above the `melting point of vmaltose without, however, af#

fecting the crystal-like character of the product.

'I'hat is, maltose in the form of maltose hydrate crystals is rst heated 'for 24 hours at approxi` mately 100 C. (212 F.) for the primary purpose ofdriving oi the hydrate water. However, this heat treatment even without the presence of a catalyst initiates polymerization as'appearsfrom the fact that after the maltose has been cooled,

and there is blended therewith 5% of meta boric` acid and 0.005% hydrochloric acid, as in the previous example,\the blend may bev heated to a temperature of 13514 C. (275284 F.) for 5 hours Without any ysubstantial melting of the maltose. The product is a light-colored product of crystal-like character, and the 'amount and degree of polymerization are much increased over the product of Example No. 15, as indicated I by the following table:

Table 1 6 Precipitation at isopropyl i alcohol contents of Total po1y merization cc. 35 cc. 85 cc.

Per cent Per'ce'llt Per cent Per cent l46 25 10 ,Sl

This product is, in the preferred processes, light in color being, as in the case of the polymerized alpha anhydrous dextrose, between a light yellow or straw color and white; that is, it is only slightly darker than the sugar treated. IThere is no, `or at least avery small amount of, fused' sugar in the product.l After the polymerization has been initiated at temperatures below the .melting point of the sugar, larger amounts and degrees ofV polymerization can b e obtained by a heating of the initially polymerizLed sugar at temperatures considerably above the usual melting points of the sugars, without producing. any substantial amount of melting. Even inA the initial polymerizing operation of the two-stage processes, 4the temperature may' be somewhat higher than the melting point of the sugar if yeno'ugh of the primary catalyst, boric acid,l in a finely enough powdered condition, is used. The amount oand degree of polymerization can be increased by the use of a very small amount of a co-catalyst, e. g., an acid, an acid salt or a neutral salt; and in the case of the dextroses, at

least a trace of the co-catalyst appears to be es sential for practical operation taking yields into consideration. The melting temperature and also the polvmerizing temperature of the sugar Y may be reduced bythe use of small quantities of acids, acid salts or neutral salts (the secondary catalysts) and this makesit possible to carry on the processes, both the one-stage and the twol stage processes, at lower temperatures with resultant minimization of color formation.

The products obtained bythe present invention differ from products produced by'the polymerization of` molten sugars in that i'lrst the form of the productv is crystalline/not in the strict crystallographic sense but iii/the sense that the particles have the form of the crystals from which the product isobtaine'd. Hence they may be referred t0 as crystal-like particles. -These crystals are not dextrose crystals, sine to a large extent the-dextrose has been transformed to its polymers. 'I'he particles are not crystals of dextrose polymers which, if crystalline in character,

would have crystal forms, presumably, different from the sugar crystals treated. The particles do have, however, the form, substantially unchanged of the crystals from which the product is made. And the product, therefore, has all of the advantages, from a practical standpoint, of a crystal# line product. The polymerizingoperations are" essentially anhydrous operations. The aim should be to use, so far as possible, anhydrous materials .and to remove as quickly as possible any freed water such as the water which is eliminated from the `dextrose as a result of the polymerizing operations. A

It will be understood that in the above speeinc examples the intention has been to set forth the conditions under which the -best results are obtainable, to wit maximum amount anddegree of polymerization and minimum color formation. y

However, it will be possible to operate outside of the specified ranges which, generally speaking,

., are practical and4 not critical, except where so specified, and effect the polymerization of the sugar although not with the best results qualitavtively or quantitatively. The invention, therefore,

is not to be considered as limited to-operations within the specied ranges.

sugars and catalytic materials used, as well as all process modifications within the scope of (the hereto appended claims, i

Ici

I claim: 1. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating, under substantially anhydrous conditions, crystalline dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals at a polymerlzing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to `a molten state in contact with a catalytic material comprising a -pulverulent compound of the group f consisting of boric anhydride and. tetra, meta and ortho boric acids.

2. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating, under substantially anhydrous conditions, crystalline dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals, in contact with catalytic (material comprising pulverulent meta boric acid, at a polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to amolten state.

3. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating alpha anhydrous dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals at a polymeri'zing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten state in contact with a catalytic mahas been initiated, heating the material at a higherv temperature below .the melting point thereof. f

5. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating, 'under substantially anhydrous conditions, crystalline dextrose in the form of .fairly large crystals, in contact with a catalytic material comprising a pulverulent, non-alkaline boron compound containing B203, at a polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to `a molten state; and, after polymerization has been initiated, heating the material at a temperature above the normal melting point of `of- Afairly large crystals under substantially anhydrous conditions and at a polymerizing tema perature whichdoesnot reduce the dextrose to a molten state in contact with catalytic material comprising a lpulverulent, non-alkaline boron compound containing B203.' i

9. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: blending with dextrose crystals of about 20 to about 100 mesh, a catalytic material comprising a boron compound of the group consisting of boric anhydride and tetra, meta and ortho boric acids, pulverized to a minimum flneness of about 170 mesh; and heating the blend, under substantially anhydrous conditions, at a polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten state. Y

10. Polymerizing process which comprises: heating, under 'substantially anhydrous conditions, a crystalline sugar having the spacial conguration of d-glucose, and in the form of fairly large crystals at a polymerizing temperature. which does not reduce the sugar to a molten state, and mixedl with a polymerizing catalyst comprising a non-alkaline'boron compound containing Baoa in a. finely divided fonia in contact with the surfaces of the sugar crystals, whereby polymerization` takes place without substantial change in the form of the sugar crystals.

. 11. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: blending with crystalline anhydrous dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals meta f boric acid in a pulverulent state and a small" amount of a secondary 'catalyst which reduces the polymerizing temperature of the dextrose and which is selected from the group of substances consisting of the, acids, acid salts and neutral l salts; heating theblend at a polymerizing temthe dextrose and below the melting point of said l material as to` which polymerization has been initiated.

6. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating, under substantially anhydrous conditions, dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals at a polymerizing temperature which of substances consisting of the acids, acid salts i and neutral salts.

"7. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: `blending with crystalline dextrose in the .form of fairly largecrystals a pulverulent, nonalkaline .boron'cmpoundcontaining B203 and also a small amount of a catalyzing substance of the group of substancesconsisting of the acids, acid salts and neutral salts; and heating the blended material, under substantially anhydrous conditions, rst at a temperature below the melting point of the dextrose and then at a polymerizing temperature above the normal melting point of the dextrose but below the melting point or the materialresulting from treatment of the dextrose at a temperature below the melting |point of the dextrose. f

8. Process of polymerizing dextrose which com-` prises: heating crystalline dextrose in the form perature below the melting point of the dextrose to bring about polymerization of the dextrose without reducing the material to a molten state; and thereafter heating the material at a substantially increased temperature below the melting point of said material.

12. Polymerization process which comprises: blending with relatively large crystals of sugar composed of dextrose units, a catalytic material comprising a pulverulent, non-alkaline Iboron compound containing B203; and heating the blend, under substantially anhydrous conditions, at a polymerizng temperature which does not reduce the material treated to a molten state.

13. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: blending a minimumof about rive per cent, by weight, of meta boric acid pulverized to a minimum iineness of about 170 mesh, with crystalline alpha anhydrous dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals; and heating the blend at a temperature between 133 and 145 C. (271- 293 F.). 14. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: blending with fairly large alpha anhydrous dextrose crystals pulverulent meta boric acid and a small amount of dry hydrogen 'chloride gas; and heating the blend at a polymerizing temperature which 'does not reduc'e the dextrose to a molten state.

15. Process of polymerizing dextrose which l comprises:V heating, under substantially anhydrous conditions, fairly largedextrose crystals at a polymerizing temperature which does not re- 'Y duce the dextrose to a molten state in contact with a pulverulent, non-alkaline boron compound containing B203 and sulfur dioxide as a .co-catalyst. l

comprises: blending with fairly 'large dextrose crystalska pulverulent, lnon-alkaline boron compound containing B203 and 'a `substanceselected from the group consisting of the perchlorates of barium, sodium and potassium; andheating the blend, under substantially anhydrous conditions, at a polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten state.

17. Process of polymerizing *dextrose which comprises: heating, under substantially anhy- /drous conditions, crystalline dextrose in the form of fairly large crystalsat a polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten state in contact with a catalytic material comprising a pulverulent, non-alkaline boron compgund containing B203 and also a small amount of a substance selected from the group Lconsisting of thel chlorides of sodium and hydrogen.

18. Process of polymerizing 'dextrose which comprises: `heating crystalline beta anhydrous dextroselin the form of fairly large. crystals at a 4polymerizing temperature which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten'state in contact withI a catalytic materialcomprisingwal pulverulent,V

non-alkalinel boron compound containing B203.

19, Process of polymerizing a sugar compound4 consisting of at least one dextrose unit which comprises: mixing with-the sugar -inthe form of fairly large crystals catalytic material comprislytic material comprising a pulverulent compound of the group `consisting of boric anhydride and I tetra, meta and ortho boric acids, at a polymeriz.- I

ing temperature vwhich does not reduce the, dextrose to a molten state; and, after polymerization' has been initiated, heating the material at higher B- temperature below the melting point thereof.

24. Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: heating; under substantially anhydrous conditions, dextrose in they form of fairly large crystals at a polymerizing temperaturev which does not reduce the dextrose to a molten state -in contact with catalytic material comprising a pulverulent compound of `the group consisting of boric anhydride and tetra, meta and ortho boric acids, and a small quantity of a coing a pulverulent, non-alkaline boron compound containing -BaOs and a small amount of .a cocatalyst of the group consisting of the acids, acid salts, and neutral salts; andv heating vthe sugar, under substantially anhydrous conditions,- at a polymerlzing temperature lwhich does the dextrose to a molten/state.

not Yreduce f 20. ln the polymerization of sugar composed of dextrose units in which a non-alkaline boron compound containing B203 is used as acatalyst, .the process of removing the boron compound from the polymerized product which comprises: suspending the polymerized product and boron compound mixture in methanol; removing the methanol and methyl borate from the polymer by distillation and decantlng; treating the methanol and methyl borate with an alkali; -distilling o the, methanol; treating the :alkali borate with an acid; and concentrating the resultant solution and removing therefrom the orthggboric acid;

2,1. Polymerization process for sugars composed of at least one dextrose unit which comprises: blending with the sugar in an anhydrous state and in the form of fairly large crystals,v pulveru- `rlent meta boric acid: heating the blend to polymerize the sugar without reducing it to a molten state; suspending the productin anhydrous methanol; removing the methanol and the methyl borate from the sugar polymers by distillation and decanting; treating the methanol and methyl borate with an alkali; distilling off the methanol and re-using it in the process; treating the alkali borate with an acid; concentrating the solution and crystallizing and removing therefrom ortho boric acid; heating the ortho boric acid to remov molecular water and transform the same to eta boric acid; and re-,using the recovered'meta boric acid inthe process.

22. Process of polyn'ierizing dextrose which comprises:- heating crystalline alpha anhydrous catalyst of the groupv of substances consisting of the acids, acid salts andfneutral salts.

25, Process of polymerizing dextrose which comprises: blending with crystalline dex ose in the form of fairly large crystals 'meta bo ic ac'd in a pulverulentstate and a smal1 amou t of a secondary catalyst which reduces thepoly erizing temperature ofthe dextrose and which is selected from the group of substances consisting of the acids, acid salts and neutral'salts; heating the blend under substantially anhydrous conditions `at a polymerizing temperature below the melting point of the dextrose to bring about polymerization of-the dextrose without reducing the material to a molten state; and thereafter heating the material at a substantially increased temperature below the melting point of saidmaterial. 26. Process of polymerizing dextrose whichv comprises: blending afminimum of about five percent, by weight, of meta boric acid pulverized, to a iineness of about 1'70 mesh, with crystalline dextrose in the form of fairly large crystals; vand heating the blend under substantially anhydrous conditions at a temperature between 133 and 27. Rolymerization process for sugars composed I of at least one dextroseunit ,which comprises:

blending with\the sugar in the .form of fairly GERALD J. LEUCK. 

